More information : (TQ 483114) Laughton Place (NR) (1)
The original home of the Pelham family. The moated house was rebuilt
by Sir William Pelham in 1534 but ceased to be the principal
residence of the family after the construction of Halland House
in 1595.
The house at Laughton fell partly into ruins in the 18thc when a
farmhouse was built round the tower. This was in existence in
1930, but now only the tower is left. The moat still exists. (2)
The manor of Laughton had been forfeited to the crown at the
end of the 14thc and it is probable that it was granted to Sir John
Pelham by Henry IV, but what the character of the building was,
whether fortified or not, is not known. Probably it was ruinous
by 1534 when Sir William built the mansion. (3)
The 16thc brick tower is the only extant remains of Laughton
Place. It is in a state of disrepair and mutilated by the demolition
of the later farm buildings. Surrounding the tower is a part
water-filled homestead moat measuring overall c140.0m by c110.0m
and c2.0m deep, with a retaining bank on the north and west
sides. See GP. Published 1:2500 survey revised. (4)
Excavation has revealed a medieval timber bridge along the north eastern side of the moat and at the north corner, part of a timebr conduit, possibly medieval. A Tudor brick curtain wall around the eastern half of the site was discovered, incorporating two octagonal corner towers, four internal 'turrets', a possible gateway or gatehouse, a main double span bridge on the south western side of the moat and a footbridge on the north eastern side. Finds have been deposited in Barbican House Museum, Lewes. (5) |